Morning commuter traffic backs up on the on-ramp to the westbound 91 Freeway at Green River Road in Corona in 2017. The Riverside County Transportation Commission is seeking $75 million for three projects in the 91 corridor in Corona, including a new westbound lane that would extend from Green River to the 241 toll road. (File photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

The commission is looking to ease congestion on the important artery that connects the Inland Empire with coastal jobs and daily carries 312,000 cars. Two commissioners traveled to the nation’s capitol this week — Ben Benoit, a Wildomar city councilman, and Karen Spiegel, a Riverside County supervisor — to try to convince federal officials of the need, Standiford said.

Artist’s rendering of the proposed 71/91 interchange makeover, featuring a new flyover ramp from the eastbound 91 to the northbound 71. (Courtesy of Riverside County Transportation Commission)

The agency unsuccessfully sought federal and state money last year for the 71-91 interchange, a $117 million project in the works for years. Now the commission is changing its approach and hitting up federal officials again for a package of projects that includes the interchange remake.

Construction would begin in fall 2020 and wrap up in winter 2022, Standiford said.

In December, in response to pressure from Corona traffic activists, commissioners promised to build a westbound 91 Freeway lane that would extend from Green River Road in Corona to the 241 in Orange County. Money is being sought to defray the estimated $42 million cost.

Construction is expected to begin in summer 2020, and the new 91 lane is expected to open in fall 2021, Standiford said.

The agency also is requesting dollars for the planned ramp that will connect the future southbound 15 toll lanes to the westbound 91 Express Lanes, and the eastbound 91 Express Lanes with the future northbound toll lanes on the 15.

“That one’s moving forward, no matter what,” Standiford said, adding that most of the funding is in place.

Fall 2020 is the target for launching construction on the ramp, with opening anticipated in spring 2023, he said.

Ned Ibrahim, a civil engineer who advises the Greater Corona Traffic Alliance and is a former Corona assistant public works director, supports the agency’s application.

Dave is a general assignment reporter based in Riverside, writing about a wide variety of topics ranging from drones and El Nino to trains and wildfires. He has worked for five newspapers in four states: Wyoming, Colorado, Arizona and California. He earned a bachelor's degree in journalism from Colorado State University in 1981. Loves hiking, tennis, baseball, the beach, the Lakers and golden retrievers. He is from the Denver area.